X William HARPERDear Keith and Marian,Absolutely no imposition whatsoever, but I have toclear up one or two points, as you say Peter Wroeis the Curator at the Police Museum. I am avolunteer Trustee and the Museum's Researcher. Idon't recall the name Dennis Whyte, but that doesnot matter but he has perhaps inadvertently givenyou some incorrect information as there is noother police museum in Cheshire only that inWarrington.As you are aware Macclesfield was part of Cheshireat the time, however it was policed byMacclesfield Borough Police, this force was formedin 1833 and remained independent until it becamepart of the Cheshire Constabulary in 1947. When itbecame part of the Cheshire Constabulary sadlynone of its archives came with it, and it is notfor the want of trying by this Museum to trace therecords all to no avail.It is possible that William was in fact was priorto becoming a member of Macclesfield BoroughPolice a member of the Cheshire Constabulary, the1841 Census shows him resident at Village Cross,Lymm, with his wife Emma and three children andrecorded as Head Constable of Macclesfield. Lymmwas in fact policed by the Cheshire Constabularyin 1841, but again official records of theCheshire Constabulary do not commence until 1857,and no records exist earlier than this, so I haveno way of confirming this. By the time the 1851Census is taken William is recorded as being theChief Constable of Macclesfield Borough Police andresident at Canal Street, Macclesfield. What we doknow is that he was the third Chief Constable ofMacclesfield taking up the position on the 17thNovember 1842, leaving around the 1st July 1860,and that is basically all that is known, even thebooklet History of Macclesfield Borough Policestates the same. If you do not have this bookletplease let me know and I will try and send it toyou, it also contains a picture of how the firstconstable would look like in his uniform.In April a lady named Mary Rosbottomsame information, perhaps you are aware of thislady, if not then perhaps it may be worthcontacting her.I am truly sorry I have been unable to help you inany great detail but at least, by reading the bookyou will get a good in sight to the policing ofMacclesfield at the time William served. If youhave any further questions please don't hesitateto contact me. Jim Talbot. Trustee and Researcher,Cheshire Museum of Policing.